Patent · US Active

Surface measurement apparatus and method using depth of field

US7782470B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
4References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 27, 2007
Grant dateAug 24, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 27, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01C11/12
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention provides for surface mapping of in-vivo imaging subjects using a single camera and a moveable stage on which a subject animal for in-vivo imaging is placed. Images are taken and the stage is moved by known amounts along the optical axis, and the heights of individual features on the subject are determined through analysis of focus, given the known stage displacement. Alternatively, height of sub-regions of the subject are determined through analysis of focus. A mesh or other surface can be constructed from individual features, to provide a surface map of the subject. Accuracy of 0.5 mm or better can be attained for mice and similarly sized subjects.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.